Dynapac, Modern Machinery strengthen partnership in the Pacific Northwest
December 2020—Dynapac North America LLC is pleased to announce that Modern Machinery will be expanding their current footprint for Dynapac products into Northern Wyoming, Oregon, and Washington. This will add to their already existing footprint in Montana and Idaho. This addition will make Modern Machinery one of the largest Dynapac dealer partners in North America. For customers of Modern Machinery, the expanded partnership with Dynapac creates access to new, used, and rental equipment along with an exceptional commitment to product support in their region.
Modern Machinery offers heavy equipment and provides product support to the construction, mining, and forestry industries. Modern Machinery began in 1944 with a single location in Spokane, Washington. Today, Modern operates full service branches in Missoula, Billings, and Kalispell, Montana; Boise, Jerome, and Pocatello, Idaho; Kent, Spokane, and Rochester, Washington; Portland and Eugene, Oregon.
Caterpillar rolls out new Cat 317 and 317 GC Next Gen excavators
December 2020—The new Cat 317 and 317 GC 17-ton class Next Gen excavators boast improved machine performance, increased efficiencies, and lower owning and operating costs than previous models. Offering more power and performance, the new 317 excavator features multiple standard Cat technologies to boost operating efficiencies by up to 45%. The versatile new 317 GC lowers maintenance costs by up to 20%.
Three available engine operating modes are available to match performance to the job, resulting in significant fuel savings potential. Smart mode automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to working conditions to improve efficiency, while ECO mode minimizes fuel consumption on less demanding applications. Available for the 317 Next Gen excavator, Power mode constantly provides maximum power and productivity for the most demanding projects.
The excavators’ responsive hydraulic system balances the need for power and efficiency to deliver precise digging. A new main valve control eliminates the need for pilot lines, reduces pressure losses and lowers fuel consumption. Both the new Cat 317 and 317 GC models come standard with new Cat Advansys bucket tips, which offer increased life, excellent retention, and fast changes to maximize uptime on the job.
Pettibone introduces Poclain CreepDrive System to enhance attachment capability for Speed Swing 445F
Dec. 1, 2020—Pettibone’s do-it-all rail crane, the Speed Swing 445F, is now available with the CreepDrive system from Poclain Hydraulics. This optional feature allows the Speed Swing to run high-flow hydraulic attachments while driving the machine at a slower, independent travel speed on or off the rails.
The Poclain CreepDrive is a hydrostatic driveline motor that can be clutched. When the operator wishes to engage the CreepDrive, the Speed Swing’s mechanical transmission is placed into neutral. A display interface is then used to raise and lower the engine RPMs, providing the necessary hydraulic flow—up to 33 gallons per minute—to run high-flow attachments. At the same time, the operator can control the CreepDrive with an integrated rocker pedal, which precisely travels the machine forward or backward at slower speeds of up to 2 mph.
